1. Background
Uganda has made great gains in scaling up and making available immunization services. The observed improvements in immunization coverage have largely been due to increased investments by government and its partners, GAVI, WHO, UNICEF and others in immunization. Investment in immunization has increased largely due to the need to accommodate new vaccine introduction. There is also a need to strengthen health systems for immunization especially in light of disease outbreaks and health emergencies. Currently Government of Uganda is providing resources for traditional vaccines as well as 20% co-financing for new vaccines such as Pentavalent, PCV10, HPV, and Rota virus. However, the evidence shows that even at this rate of co-financing for new vaccines, government has been struggling to meet its co-financing obligations resulting in delays in payments. As concerns about the sustainability of donor financing for health and immunization specifically persist, it is prudent for the country to cost and update the roadmap for new vaccine introduction and to develop strategies for sustainably funding new vaccines in order to reach and maintain desired coverage. There are numerous costs involved in the financing of new vaccines. While the price of older vaccines remains stable, new vaccines tend to garner increasingly higher market prices. Experts estimate the cost for a new vaccine entering the market to be approximately USD 700 million[1]. The WHO has emphasized that new vaccines are now high in demand in all countries[2], thus requiring more efficient and sustainable funding to secure these new vaccines in each country. Governments need to continue to invest in immunization programs as new technologies are developed, and strong outcomes require consistent and ongoing investments.
Given this background, it is necessary to explore several strategies to sustainably finance the implementation of new vaccines in addition to fortifying the availability of vaccines in routine immunization programs. Uganda has to prepare for introduction of new vaccines to match the growing innovations that have helped us to address more diseases using vaccines. The overall aim of this financial sustainability plan for new vaccine introduction is to propose avenues through with the government and development partners can generate funds necessary to ensure sustainable financing for new vaccine introduction in Uganda.
2. Objectives of the Technical Assistance
1) To determine the cost of new vaccine introduction for the proposed antigens by UNEPI
2) Re-evaluate and develop guidance on roadmap for introduction of new vaccines
3) To develop a financial sustainability plan for new vaccine introduction in Uganda
3. Expected outputs
The overarching expected output of this TA an updated roadmap for introduction of new vaccines and a financial sustainability plan for new vaccine introduction in Uganda. The specific key deliverables include:
a) Inception report with the proposed method of work (methodology) to be agreed on with WCO/Uganda
b) Progress report of the assignment
c) Validation meeting
d) Final NUVI financial sustainability plan
4. Qualifications and Experience
At least a first-degree economics, statistics or related degree. A master’s degree will be added advantage.
At least 10 years experience in providing technical assistance to countries in developing financial sustainability plans.
5. Level of Effort
The technical assistance will be provided over a period of 3 months (12 weeks).
How to apply:
Send cover letter, CV and Financial proposal to afwcougwrsec@who.int